15 September 2023
Staying on a houseboat in the Marais Poitevin – why not? Indeed, spending the night on the water aboard a boat during a river expedition is an activity you can enjoy in the Marais.
It’s easy to do – the agency Au Bout du Marais offers boats that don’t require a license. With a capacity of 6 berths, these “pénichettes” allow you to embark on a multi-day adventure with family or friends! The boats are electrically powered and specially designed for the Marais.
In total, there are about a hundred kilometers of navigable waterways between the ports of Niort in Deux-Sèvres and Marans in Charente-Maritime, along the Sèvre Niortaise and its tributaries: the Canal du Mignon and the Canal de la Vieille-Autise. You will sail on a protected river, in a Grand Site of France, at the heart of the Marais Poitevin Regional Natural Park.
24 pontoons: waiting pontoons at the locks to facilitate maneuvers and stopover pontoons for docking are installed along the route to provide you with all the amenities throughout your journey.
Map of the navigable Sèvre Niortaise and its tributaries.
Yes, in addition to your waterway adventure, thanks to the many pontoons, it’s highly recommended to step ashore and come explore the Marais Poitevin: boat rides, cycling, walking, visits to heritage and cultural sites, strolls through the villages, and tastings of local products… A stay aboard a houseboat combines both river and land activities, which is where the term “fluvestre” comes from!
Download the map for discovering river excursion in the Marais Poitevin.
A guide to the Sèvre Niortaise waterway can also be ordered from Éditions du Breil.
The boat rental service offered by the Au Bout du Marais agency is marked Valeurs Parc naturel régional.
22 May 2024
Editions filled with plenty of ideas to create a tailor-made stay!! Documents to download: Download the map of the Marais Poitevin Find all the tourist activities available in the Marais Poitevin: boat rides, canoeing, sightseeing spots, bike rentals, bird-watching locations, seaside activities… Download the magazine Inspirations Along the Water… A […]
28 April 2024
The Marais poitevin, a highly appreciated tourist destination The Marais poitevin Regional Nature Park is a tourist destination in its own right. Every year, 1,400,000 visitors come to explore this region that’s one of a kind: largest wetland on the Atlantic coast, 8,200km of waterways, 1,000km of dykes, 594 hydraulic structures, 330 bird species, 750 […]
14 January 2026
The Marais Poitevin, Nature’s Treasures The Marais Poitevin, designated as a Regional Natural Park, a Grand Site of France, and a Ramsar site for its significant wetland area, is an exceptional region where water shapes both the landscapes and biodiversity. Wet meadows, canals, reed beds, as well as beaches and dunes of the coastline, limestone […]
20 July 2025
Cycle along the quiet paths and enjoy the peace-and-quiet of the wild environment as you cross through the villages of the marshland. The diverse landscapes make this the perfect place for fishing, an activity that is very easy to try here. From abbeys to museums, dive head first into the history of the Marais poitevin […]
17 June 2025
Are you planning to go on holiday in the Marais poitevin? Do you have any questions on the geographical specificities of this exceptional site? Let’s discover the curiosities that make the Marais poitevin a popular destination for adventurers like you! The Marais poitevin, a geographically exceptional territory When we talk about the Marais poitevin, this […]
© 2026 - Parc naturel régional Marais poitevin
